The name "Rayleigh" is Saxon in origin and is cognate to the German place name Rehlach of the same meaning[citation needed] . According to the English Place Names Society, "Rayleigh" derives from "raege", and "leah", meaning "Female roe-deer stream" or "she-goat stream'".[2] According to the Rayleigh Civic Society, "Roa" is a Saxon word for Roebuck and "Lea" a pasture probably for goats.[3]

In any case, the connection with deer continued through the centuries. Lands around Rayleigh were used as Royal hunting forests for many hundreds of years. A deer was included in the coat of arms of Rayleigh Urban District Council, and in the early 2000s, a new pub was named the "Roebuck".

There have been a scattering of stray finds around the town from Prehistoric and Roman times, including some Roman roof and hypocaust tiles found within the fabric of Rayleigh Church. This suggests there was a Roman habitation site within the area. However there is little evidence of any density of population here during this period.[4]

One significant archaeological find was in the early 2000s at the western edge of Rayleigh, at the site of the former Park School in Rawreth Lane. An early Saxon cemetery site was discovered here, with 144 cremation burials and evidence of just one high-status female inhumation burial.[5]

By the end of the Saxon period, there was definitely a village here, as it is recorded in the Domesday Book, when it was held by Swein of Essex, the son of Robert FitzWimarc.

A courthouse was erected in Rayleigh in 1338. This was apparently resented by the townspeople, who turned out in force to destroy it, with 20 ringleaders later arrested and tried.[6]

The forests around Rayleigh were royal hunting grounds. It is recorded that King Henry III hunted here in 1222, and the three King Edwards also visited.[7]

Rayleigh Castle gradually fell into disuse, and in 1394 King Richard II gave permission for the townspeople of Rayleigh to use the foundations as a source of stone. By this time, the site was in royal ownership and used for pasture:

know all men of special grace who have the will to repair certain Chapel in the said town and to build a new a certain belfry we have granted them the foundations and to take away and use any stones found theren".[8]

Following the granting of this permission, the Rayleigh parish church, Holy Trinity, was built in the Perpendicular Period style, during the 15th century.

Records indicate that the Church was rich in plate, vestments and stained glass, but these were disposed of:

"No church within the hundred was more splendidly adorned; none were so richly furnished with plate, vestments and other accessories for the celebration of the divine service; none were so rich in painted glass; none have been more mercilessly despoiled"[9][10]

During Henry VIII reign deer were constantly taken from here to replenish the herds in Greenwich Park.[11]

Rayleigh used to have its own stadium, The Weir Stadium, where greyhound dog racing and speedway racing took place. The Rayleigh Rockets Speedway team competed against other clubs from around the country in the late forties, early 1950s,1960s and into the 70s. The stadium was situated adjacent to the Weir roundabout along the A127. Stock car and banger racing also took place there. The stadium was sold for redevelopment in the mid-1970s, and the site is now occupied by Sainsbury's and other retail stores. These stores are accessed via Stadium Way. Rayleigh also used to feature a cinema, the Regal, located close to Mill Hall; retirement accommodation (called Homeregal House in "memory" of the Regal) is now in its place.

During the 1990s many new housing estates appeared on formerly greenfield areas of the town, with the East of England region currently pushing for even more homes to be built in the area. This has caused some controversy locally, with residents of Rayleigh feeling that the areas surrounding the town should be preserved with more care.[12]

The civil parish of Rayleigh became part of Rochford Rural District in 1894. In 1929 it was combined with Rawreth to form the Urban District of Rayleigh, which was abolished in 1974 when the area became part of the District of Rochford.[13]

Since June 2011, Rochford District Council has had 31 Conservative members, 4 Liberal Democrats (all of whom represent wards in west Rayleigh), 2 Green Party councillors and 2 members from Rochford Residents Party. Rayleigh Town council is also Conservative controlled, comprising 19 Conservatives, 2 independents and 2 Liberal Democrats.

Rayleigh Town Council have major responsibilities which include: Consultee on Planning applications in Rayleigh. Christmas Lights and organisation of switch-on event in Town Centre, King George V Playing Field in Eastwood Road, floral displays in Town Centre and entry to Annual Anglia in Bloom competition, CCTV in Town Centre, benches, salt bins, litter bins, bus shelters, some street lighting, heritage and memorial plaques, and the Town Centre clock. Four Allotment sites within Rayleigh with over 100 plots Consultee on crime & disorder reduction strategy within Rochford District Member of Rayleigh Windmill management committee.[14]

The Civic Suite and Information Centre includes the Council Chamber, Committee Rooms, Transportation and Hackney Carriage Office and is located on Hockley Road. The Citizens Advice Bureau and Registrar's Office are also located here.

Rayleigh has two secondary schools: Sweyne Park School, formed by the amalgamation of the Sweyne and Park schools, and FitzWimarc School. It also has seven primary schools - Down Hall, Edward Francis, Grove Wood, Our Lady of Ransom (Catholic), Rayleigh Primary and Wyburns. The seventh, Glebe Primary School with UHI, was created in September 2014 through the amalgamation of Glebe Infant and Nursery School and Glebe Junior School.[15] In addition, St Nicholas C of E Primary School, a long-established school for the adjoining village of Rawreth, moved in 2006 to a new building just on the Rayleigh side of the parish boundary.

It has a leisure centre, built on part of the site of the old Park School, with a bowling green, four badminton courts, squash courts, dance room, gymnasium, tennis courts, football pitches and a fully licensed bar. Rayleigh Bowls Club play at St Georges Playing Fields.

Rayleigh has two skate parks, Rawreth Skate Park near ASDA, and King George's Skate Park, both of which were being refurbished as of May 2011.

The Warehouse Centre opened in 1994. The Warehouse Centre, includes Rayleigh MegaZone and Megaplay, nearby is an indoor Karting Stadium situated on the Brook Road Industrial Estate.

Rayleigh has a golf club on the outskirts of the town; The Rayleigh Club (previously Lords Golf & Country Club) is situated on the Hullbridge Road to the north of the town.[16]

Rayleigh has two cricket clubs: Rayleigh Fairview Cricket Club who play at Rayleigh Town Sports and Social Club, with three Saturday teams currently playing in the T. Rippon Mid Essex Cricket League; and Rayleigh Cricket Club, who were formed in 1902 as the Rayleigh and District Cricket Club. In 2004, their new pavilion situated in Rawreth Lane was completed, and league cricket is now played on the ground.

Motor cycle speedway racing was staged at a greyhound track before the war (circa 1933) and a The Weir Stadium after the war. The team were known as the Rayleigh Rockets.

King George's Field is close to the town centre and has several entrances. There is a skateboard and children's play areas, accessed from Bull Lane.

Sweyne Park is controlled by Rochford District Council. It is situated north of Sweyne Park School.

It can be accessed in several ways. The entrance in Downhall Park Way has a small car park, and there is a play area. It has another smaller entrance in Downhall Park Way, adjacent to Canterbury Close. It can also be accessed from Victoria Avenue. In 2008 an entrance was established from Priory Chase. The park has a pond.[17] It has a bridleway running round its perimeter of about 2 km (1.2 mi). The majority of the park is grassland which is cut for hay to control it and encourage wild flowers.

Fairview Playing field, Victoria Road TQ814914

Grove playing field, Grove Road TQ825904

John Fisher playing field (Little Wheatleys Chase, Rayleigh) TQ789914

Kingley Wood stands on a steep hill slope beside the A127 and is visible as you approach Rayleigh from London. The small wood is the only surviving ancient wood in Rayleigh, but it has rich and varied wildlife and a well-documented history.[18][19] It can be approached by foot from Western Road, Hollytree Gardens or Weir Farm Road.

Wheatley Wood

This is a 64-acre (26 ha) broadleaved wood established in the late 1990s. The wood was designed and planted by a partnership of Local people and the Woodland Trust. There is a car park at the Grange Community Centre in Little Wheatley Chase, and access to the wood is across the playing fields.[20]

The town has grown considerably in the last 25 years. A 49-room Premier Inn is situated on the southern boundary of the town, adjacent to the Weir roundabout and the A127. The town's amenities include several public houses, restaurants, shops, and an indoor market (Rayleigh Lanes).

There is a small outdoor market on Wednesdays. Until 2011 it was located next to Rayleigh Civic Suite and Information Centre, opposite Holy Trinity Church. In 2011 it moved to the taxi rank in the town’s High Street (outside Boots). The market dates back to before 1181 when it was inscribed in the Exchequer Records of Henry II.[21]

The library is situated in the south end of the High Street, opposite the police station.

The Dutch Cottage, the smallest and oldest council house in the United Kingdom, can be visited on Wednesdays by prior appointment.[22]

The town's road layout leads to periods of inevitable traffic congestion at peak times, but the town retains some of its old-world charms and Rayleigh ranks well in South-East Essex amongst the more desirable and congenial places to live.[citation needed]

Rayleigh has a football team named Rayleigh Boys. They play matches at the park adjacent to Grove School and also at Fairview Park. The teams run from the age of five up to 16 years old.

Rayleigh windmill has been renovated, including a structural renovation of the 19th century brick built building has now been completed.[23]

The basic external brickwork has been repaired and the interior has been transformed to provide four storeys of modern display facilities which has turned the windmill into a major tourist and educational attraction in the county. The changes to the windmill allow the public to view the interior and to exploit this local historic amenity for cultural, educational and tourism use.

Rayleigh Mount, a National Trust property adjacent to Rayleigh Windmill, is the site of a Domesday castle erected by Sweyn of Essex with distinctive motte-and-bailey defences. From its summit it offers sweeping views across the Crouch Valley.[24]

Rayleigh Brass is a brass band. The band has been established in South Essex for almost one hundred years. They play a varied programme to a high standard and have a reputation for a progressive and changing repertoire of music. Current musical director (2009) Alan Thorpe.

Harmonie Concert Band is a symphonic wind band, based in Rayleigh (Warehouse Centre) and have been playing music for the local Essex and surrounding community since 1976.

Rayleigh Horticultural Society are one of the biggest societies in the area, with over 1000 household members, celebrating over 65 years. They have a Committee who work to provide activities of interest to all types of gardeners. For the showman, the allotment holder, the plant enthusiast and those who just like to potter around.

The Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill organise events for Charity. It was founded 5 June 1995.

The Lions Club of Rayleigh was chartered in 1974 and serves the Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge and Rochford areas. The club is a Voluntary Service Organisation and a registered charity.

The parish church of Saint Michael and All Angels is in Sir Walter Raleigh Drive near Sweyne School. It was built in the 1950s when Rayleigh expanded considerably. It has a multi-purpose building which is used by other local groups as well as the church.

Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church is on London Hill.

The United Reformed Church is on Crown Hill.

The Baptist Church is in the High Street. The building opened for worship on 25 March 1799, shortly before the first Pastor, Rev James Pilkington, was inducted in June 1799. In June 1979, work started on a church extension. This added significantly more seating and completed some much needed repairs.

Rayleigh Methodist Church

The Methodist Church is on Eastwood Road. (Moved from the High Street in 1934).[27]

Grange Free Church is on London Road, at the junction with Langdon Road.

The Salvation Army are located on the corner of the High Street and Love Lane. The building was the original 1884 Methodist Church, which was sold to the Salvation Army in 1934 when the Methodist Church moved to a larger site in Eastwood Road.